Staff

Meet some of our central office our staff members

Seth Kelley

Executive Director

Seth Kelley brings twenty years of experience in the non-profit and education fields to BASE Camp. He began his career in teaching, working with children experiencing developmental challenges and behavioral issues. Seth’s education experience included the Latham School, in Brewster, MA, Montclair Academy in Denver and Aurora Hills Middle School, in Aurora CO. In 2003, Seth and his wife moved to Akiak, a small Yupiik Village in Alaska where they worked as teachers. He worked through partnerships with local leadership, school staff and the youth of the village to create the Akiak Boys & Girls Club. His work with the Boys & Girls Club included direct support, athletics, fundraising, and serving as director of two clubhouses. Prior to moving to Fort Collins, Seth served as Executive Director of FOCUS in Eagle River, Alaska. FOCUS serves young adults and infants who have developmental disabilities by providing positive programs, therapy and family support.

Katie Watkins

Community Outreach Director

Katie Watkins has a passion for youth and education as well as over 12 years of experience that she brings to the BASE Camp team. She holds a degree in Marketing and Communications, and she spent several years working in for-profit corporations, before shifting to the nonprofit sector, where she focused on marketing, events, fundraising and program development. Prior to joining our team, she was the Director of Summits at No Barriers USA. She has an extensive background in partnership development and community engagement.

Katie has lived in the Fort Collins community for over 9 years with her husband and their two daughters.

Lisa Garland

Office Manager

Lisa joined BASE Camp in 2012. She is originally from Texas, but has lived in Colorado for 15 years, including a move to Fort Collins in 2010. She started with BASE Camp in November 2012 and has been contributing her talents and skills ever since. Lisa has over 20 years of office experience, including ten years at a law office in Breckenridge.

Amanda Christman

Resource Development Manager

Amanda has been working in youth development for the past 9 years. Her experience includes work in after-school programs, residential camp and a boarding school, as well as participating in two different Americorp programs. She is originally from Wisconsin, but has called Fort Collins home for the last two years. In her time at BASE Camp, Amanda served two years as a site director at Zach Elementary School, prior to her current role as a program manager. She received her B.A. in Integrated Visual Arts from Loras College in 2005.

Marie Maderal

Customer Support Specialist

Marie comes to BASE Camp with over 15 years of administrative experience, including office support roles in the education, youth nonprofit, medical, retail and accounting fields! She is passionate about helping parents have a great experience with BASE Camp by supporting their needs with scheduling, Daycare Works, registration, and more! She was raised in Tampa, FL and received her B.S. in Education from Loyola University. She is a mother of five adult children scattered across the US. She recently relocated to Fort Collins, CO to be near family and is enthusiastic to have found a new “home” at BASE Camp!

Mary Rutledge

Director of Programs

Mary has lived in Fort Collins for over 25 years and is a graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Prior to joining the BASE Camp team in 2012, Mary was a school director for Knowledge Universe. She oversaw programs in Longmont and Fort Collins totaling over 8 years of school leadership experience. She also holds a Level IV ECE credential from the Colorado Office of professional development and is recognized as an intermediate level trainer as defined by Colorado Office of Professional Development and Qualistar Early Learning.

Jason Ostrom

Account Manager

Jason has been a part of the BASE Camp family for over 17 years! He began as a Program Lead, was promoted to a Site Director, and worked at five schools within BASE Camp, before transitioning to his current role as Account Manager. Jason was born and raised in Walnut Creek, California. He possesses Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Nebraska.

Tracey Ryssman

Director of Human Resources

Tracey loves working in Human Resources because it gives her the opportunity to work closely with employees and watch their careers grow. Her passions include employee engagement, development, and recognition, as well as creating a positive culture and environment for employees. She has worked in Human Resources for over 30 years and is a certified PHR and SHRM-CP. Her career started in Southern California with Marriott Hotels, which eventually led her, her husband, and their two daughters, to Fort Collins. She loves being part of such a wonderful community and enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and participating in all the great activities Colorado has to offer.

Lindsey Sutherland

Assistant Director of Programs

Lindsey grew up in Petersburg, Alaska. She has been working with elementary-aged children since 2005. She graduated cum laude from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science with an Early Childhood Development and Education emphasis, completing her student teaching in a Head Start pre-kindergarten classroom. After graduation, Lindsey moved to Colorado and led the school-age and enrichment program at a KinderCare Learning Center. In 2012, she joined BASE Camp as a Site Director at Timnath Elementary, then at Rice Elementary. Lindsey has been serving the organization in leadership on the programming team since 2014.